rktaurus71

Our expectations are EXACTLY the same. Looking for the 'sweet spot' and wanting it to HELP control hunger. I never said or intimated that diet and exercise wouldn't be a huge part of it. In fact, my diet is so low fat, low carb, one cup at a time, no liquids while eating, etc. Following every rule I've gotten. So...thank you for understanding

Pardon me, but I am not misguided. I don't think your post is helpful. My doctor and nutritionist both said very clearly "the band -- when find the right amount of fill -- will make you feel full faster". I NEVER said in my post that I expected some sort of magic bullet. Excuse me, but I am following every rule there is --- eating extremely low fat, low carb, no more than a cup at time, not drinking while eating, etc. So, I'm hardly expecting an overnight miracle. Thanks to everyone else who responded. Much appreciated. I will certainly let you know how the next fill goes.

THANK YOU. Forgive me, but I have not been misguided. I am COMPLETELY aware that the lap band is merely a tool --- BUT that tool IS supposed to restrict hunger. My doctor and nutritionist both say so -- otherwise what's the point. I will let you know how my next fill goes!

Thanks, Cheri! You're the best. It's all a bit confusing. I'm trying to just eat light and when I want to snack I have hummus or 0% sugar free greek yogurt. Oh, what a journey. I just want to lose, lose, lose, but I know I have to be patient. I think I started to feel my fill last night for the first time - I felt full and had some back pain from eating too fast (something I'm working on). But I'm still very very hungry, so I'm looking forward to finding what they call the "sweet spot" in my band.

Hello, I'm 4 weeks out from surgery. I initially lost weight because of the liquids, then gained a few pounds back over the holidays. I now have a 5cc fill in an 11 cc band and am still hungry. More importantly, I'm going off of mushies and onto "regular food" this week. Since I 'm re-learning, i really don't know what to eat. It sounds stupid, I know, but I'm not much of a cook (I live in New York and usually go out or pick up). For the mushies I'm eating tons of hummus, o% sugar free yogurt, fat free cottage cheese, scrambled eggs. When I move to 'regular food', I'm just not sure what an average day should look like. I desperately want to be losing weight. I would love to see what kinds of things you eat during the day and in the evening. Thanks for your help.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, THIS IS GREAT

THANK YOU, THIS IS GREAT!

I've tried them all! There is only ONE I really like and it is so easy to get (no powder or mixing, either). CARNATION INSTANT BREAKFAST "NO SUGAR ADDED". Available by the case on Amazon.com --- I think they taste really good and don't have that weird protein-shake-synthetic taste.

I tried the Muscle Milk lite and really disliked it. BUT, BUT, BUT, I found one that I really like - even love and it is SO easy to get. CARNATION INSTANT BREAKFAST "NO SUGAR ADDED". You can buy it on Amazon.com and have it the next day.

Hi Scuffy, It's a little too early for me to call myself a "success story" because I just had surgery one month ago. But, I wanted to say how much I understand. Having gone through it all now, I am THRILLED that I had the surgery. I can already feel a difference. I am so tired of the self-hate of wondering exactly what you said "how did I let myself get this way". I'm so tired of not fully participating in life. We are obese. It's a horrible thing to have to say and write. But, we are not bad people. We are NOT weak people. Instead, like millions and millions and millions, we have a problem with food. THERE IS NO SHAME WHATSOEVER in pursuing the band. I spoke to my therapist many times before going through this --- she put it so well. She said "Look, you have a problem. You've tried EVERY diet. And now, guess what, you're trying something new. You should be PROUD for exploring this." She was right. I didn't have the patience to wait for my health insurance company (6 months of supervised dieting), so I went ahead and paid for the surgery. I have a fantastic surgeon who has walked me through everything. Whatever you decide, just please remember ---- you are not alone. Stop beating yourself up. I wish you all the best and feel free to ask me any questions.

Hello, There seem to be a lot of opinions about the post op diet. At NYU where I had my lap band put in, they say 10 days post op liquids. The first few days I didn't care --- I wasn't hungry. Now, I'm so hungry it hurts. Must I really stay on liquids for another 4 days? I'd love to know other experiences. Thank you.

Hello all, I'm being banded on Tuesday. I'm just wondering what to expect in terms of how I feel. And, I'm wondering about eating. Do you really just have Clear liquids? Do you feel full? Do you really have to wait 10 days to start mushy foods? Just lots of curiosity/anxiousness. Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

You are SUCH an inspiration. I am having my surgery on Tuesday and TRYING to quit smoking I'm nervous about the surgery and I really want the weight loss to work. Your story is so exciting!

Hi Cheri! Thank you so much for responding! My surgery is Tuesday and I'm getting a bit anxious about it, and the first 10 days after. Not sure what to expect. You can e-mail me directly at rk@filmrk.com --- it is SO NICE to be in touch!!! Ross

Hi, I live in New York City. It doesn't matter to me where you are in the world. It would just be great to be in touch with someone who is successfully losing weight with the band. I am being banded on Tuesday ! Thanks so much in advance, Ross

Hi, I'm using DR. BRADLEY SCHWACK at NYU and he has been GREAT. I am having my band done on Tuesday. He's been really helpful, available on his cell phone, and just overall really comforting. Highly recommend him.

Hello, I'm on the fourth day of the liquid diet for pre-op. I'm using Carnation No Sugar Added shakes. They taste fine. But I'm starving. Is there ANYTHING I can supplement this with. My doctor told me 'off the record' that I could eat thanksgiving dinner --- ?? which surprised me. So, if I could break the diet for that , can I add 0% greek yogurt or something? Anyone else have a brutal time with the pre-op part? Thanks for the support.

Hi, I'm new. I'm struglling like hell with the pre-op liquid diet. Did anyone else struggle? I'm doing it, but it's brutal. I've got no energy. Just looking for some support out there. Getting my band on in 11 days --- I'm very nervous.

Hi, I'm having my surgery on December 7th! I'm nervous as hell. And I TOO am at war with these shakes. It feels so impossible. Don't feel weak or bad about yourself --- apparently they don't prepare you for the nightmare of the pre-op liquid diet. I had non fat yogurt this morning. Don't tell anyone!

Hello! I'm getting banded in 11 days and am nervous as hell. How did you do on the pre-op liquid diet. How was the procedure?